Chancie

Sighhhhhhhhhhhh. I wish I was as motivated in the exercise area as you guys!! I KNOWI would be dropping this last 42 pounds faster if I exercised on a regular basis. I'll work out a few weeks great. then slack.... GOTTA get somthing I LIKE and stick with it!!! But proud of you all!! Keep up the good work!!

Gin- I know what you mean EXACTLY- I felt I was almost tooo calm the day of my surgery!! My son's friend is the one that had to take me to the hospital ( long story) and I drove there because I felt I would worry too much just being a passenger!! I'll be thinking of you Thursday and let us know how things go!! Congrats to everyone thats getting sleeved here soon!! Millie- Thank you for the compliment!! I just seen that pic and kinda strange... I think.... Is that REALLY me?????? LOL

Wooo hoooooo Gin!! I know you're excited! You'll do just fine and i can't wait to hear all the details! Keep us posted and will be thinking of you!

Hi Joy and welcome to VST! Congratulations on the first step! I don't have any tips for you- my insurance didn't cover weight loss of anykind, and I'm a self pay. Hope things go smooth for you- there's plenty in that went the steps with the insurance so someone will be along to answer your questions. Welcome to the boards!!

Hi Tracy- Thanks for the recipes!! I bought a spagetti squash a few weeks back- and darn if I didn't let it go bad before I found a recipe for it! I have heard such good things about this- and since I stay away from pasta- this was why I wanted to try this!! Thanks again!!

Cajun-Woooo hoooooooo!! WTG!!! You are doing WONDERFUL!! Isn't it a great feeling! and the more you lose the more motivation it gives us! a "Win-Win" Keep up the good work! Judy- This too shall pass! It's just a temp. setback, ez for me to say ino- but It will work out for you... I just know it will! Keep your spirtits up and conquor this!! Bob- I can so relate to what you said... I was in total denial about how big I was... NEVER would look in a mirror- and LOVE your NSV- people not knowing who you are!!! VA- You go girl! ONEderland is right around the corner!! I'm so proud and happy for each and everyone of you!!

Hi Aimee- Welcome to the boards! Lots of wonderful help on this site- and lots of success stories as well! Congratulations on your decision to have the sleeve- it was one of the best decisions I ever made- and if I can help in anyway- feel free to PM me as well. We're all here for you!!

Hi Fromheadtotoe!! Welcome to our Family!! Glad to have you hear and by looking at you ticker- seems like you're off to a great start! As everyone said.... we're here to support- encourage and help in the best way we know how- having gone thru it ourselves!! Feel free to PM me as well- be glad to help anyway I can! And- Congratulations on your date!! It was one of the best decisons I ever made!!

This is still so very new for you- and a learning process. But you want to learn to eat "healthy" and the right foods. Stay away from the bread ( carbs ) at this stage- Start taking your mesurements- you'll be wonderfully surprised at what your body is doing! You may start losing inches even when the scale doesn't reflect much of a loss. g'luck! Keep us posted!

I think alot of my success was I enjoyed the "honeymoon" period.... thats the firsts few months where you are not hungry- I worked it to my advantage, and this soon out you shouldn't be ding the crackers and carbs. They will continue to make you hungry and then it become harder. They are "slider" foods..... will not fill you up, but will be calories you don't want. I take nexium, but not everyday. I used it for about a month everyday- then weened myself... I just use it now when I feel the heartbrun beginning... and it seems to stop it quickly. it does get better- and easier to eat, so make the right food choices now- at the early stage of the game. then it will be second nature to eat the right foods.

Hey Steph!! I'm glad things went well for you!! We DO need the support! They're "re-vamping" ours here..... the closest one to me is Nashville which is about 1 1/2 hours away- So I'm hoping I can find a group close by so I can go weekly. Otherwise I'm gonna try to go once a montha at least. I need it more now that I'm getting farther out and closer to goal.

Norma- I was 373 when I had my knee replacement. My doctor was excellent, and he put an extended rod in my leg because of my weight. I'm not gonna "sugar coat" it...... it's a hell of a surgery. They get you up and about the next day- and with my wieght being what it was- at 5'7"....... it was hard. Pain was fierce... but my mind was also not in the right place. I rember crying like a baby- but once I was home. things got better. I had physical therapy everyday for for about 3 weeks. They came tomy house. And it was a good thing...... because I was in such a state of depression, there was no way I could do it on my own. It was the deciding factor for me to get WLS. Today- exactly a year out- I am pain free.... 152 pounds lighter and can walk up and down stairs like a "normal" person.... before I had to one step it at a time... now I take steps easily. My BMI was 54 as well when I started out ...... so it is going to be hard having the weight on you.But you will be able to do it....... and the weight will be coming off. so you should do fine. i just wanted you to know that it is tuff.... but so very worth it in the end.

G'luck and congrats to you Mayflo!! Can't wait to hear all the details as to how you're doing!!

Norma- I had total Knee replacement last Oct. It's a hell of a surgery- but it is sooooo very worth it!! It was one of the deciding factors for me to have weight loss surgery because my knee surgeon was wonderful and did an excellent job, but I had no stmaina and couldn't walk because of my weight. My doctor automatically gives you 4 months off work- but if my weight was "normal" I believe I could have gone back to work earlier than that. If you have any questions.. PM me and I'll explain more if you want.... I think Linda had a knee replacement and is getting ready to have her other done...

Hi Babyblue- Welcome to the boards!! I just want to tell you that everyone is so different ( as you know ) but I was one that had problems at first, lots of nausea, and dry heaves out of surgery. I ended up spending 5 days in the hospital because of it. But, It was something I could handle, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I'm one of the "heavy weights" here. I stated weighing 354.... and 9 months out........ I have lost 152 pounds. I've never had the band so I can't relate to any of that, but as Tiff said, she was a band to sleeve patient, and she is very successful! As with any surgery, there will be differences.... I had my gall bladder out and was able to go back to work in a week, but my g/f had it done and it took her over 3 weeks... as I said, differences.... If there's any questions I can answer... feel free to ask, but I think its one of the best surgeries around!! I'm so glad I did it, and I'm sure everyone in here is tired of hearing me say....... I wish I did it 10 years ago!!!

Congratulations!!!! And........ I know EXACTLY what you mean....... Prior to finnaly making my up and taking that first step. I was so nervous about all of it.... but then when I FINNALY did it...... it kinda went to the back of my mind and I didn't panic. Sooooooooo......... you are on your way!! Again. Congratulations!!!

Congrats on your surgery and WELCOME to the forum!! Its a heck of a ride!! LOL But great to have you with us on the losers side!~!

Wooooooo Hooooooooo Thinoneday!!! Your time is coming and I KNOW you will do WONDERFUL!! I can't wait to hear all the details!! Keep us posted!!!

WTG Tiff!!! Isn't it a wonderful feeling and accomplishment!! I love what you said here..... "I love that I have control, and have found other means to deal with life stressors, and all the ups and downs. Food was my best friend. It was my comforter, my security, my void filler, my everything, now it's just fueling my body, and I'm able to be free of the chains of emotional eating." No truer words spoken- gaining the control back into our lives! I'm really happy for you and your success..... keep up the good work and the helping of others that you do so well!! Big HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

Lauren- YES!!!! 150 is DEFINITLY a realistic goal!! I started out at 354 ( highest was 373) And I'm dowm 152 pounds at 9 months out! I have 42 pounds to my doctors goal of 160. You can do it, just follow the rules, drink plenty of water and get in your protein- and it can be done! G'luck to you!!!

Congratulations!!! What a wonderful Christmas Present to yourself!! As others stated, you will be happy with your decision- and can't wait to hear of your progress!! Please keep us posted!

Ok..... I'm 9 months out and I go for my 9 month check up tomorrow with my surgen.... I'm starting the "research" process now. I still have 50 pounds to lose, and I have been saving, but wanting to get some surgens in line. I know my insurance won't cover this, so I have started saving the past year. But I want some "Figures" and procedure info. Like I stated before, I THOUGHT it would be "the girls" first, but I want legs and stomach done first. Mainly stomach... so tomorrow when I go for my check up I'm gonna see what my doc says, how long I should wait, etc. I guess it's becoming more of a reality to me now, just like the weight loss surgery itself, I NEVER dreamed I would be where I am today, just 9 months out. Will this make me happy? I dunno...... but I do know I have ALWAYS wanted a flat stomach....... even when I was thin, I had a poochy belly, so I'm at least going to look into prices etc. since this is more cosmetic, gonna weigh ( excuse the pun/not intended) all the pro's and cons- and weather I want to spend the money or not.

Welcome Piglet!! And congratulations! I posted on your other thread... and it sounds like You're doing great! Keep up to good work and we're glad to have you here!

Piglet- Welcome and congratulations!! Sounds like you're doing GREAT! Everyone is soooo different. I was one of the ones that couldn't eat right away- vomited alot. But could drink protein drinks ( and still do at 9 months out) Just get in your water- very important! And gradually you will get in all your proetein needs. sounds like you're off to a great start! Welcome to the losers side!

I noticed that I am urinating better since surgery- before I would have to pee, but was harder to come out, now I have a stronger stream ( didn't know how to put that ) and I don't leak, much more in "control"!! Not sure what the reasoning is, might try to remember to ask my doc tomorrow!